I removed the packaging on the day my mattress arrived according to instructions. Be careful that you have plenty of space when you do it because as soon as you make the smallest cut into the vacuum plastic it turns into a giant sized heavy marshmallow! I left it in our spare room for two days to allow it to complete its puffing out and have now been sleeping on it for 4 nights. It takes all the pain away in my joints and my back. Firm but soft. Incredibly comfortable. This review was written by a person weighing 17 stones.